U.S. patent application number 16/102731 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-28 for illuminated magazine assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Carson GARNER. Invention is credited to Carson GARNER.
Application Number | 20190063857 16/102731 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65435016 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190063857 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GARNER; Carson |
February 28, 2019 |
ILLUMINATED MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
Provided are illuminated a magazine assemblies that include a
magazine baseplate, having a chamber within the baseplate and an
illumination source within the chamber. The illumination source may
be selected and positioned within the magazine assembly, such that
light emitted from the device may be seen within a limited range of
sight, preferably such that only a person using the magazine
assembly is able to see the light/illumination. The magazine
assembly may further include a magazine attached to or integral
with the magazine baseplate. Also provided are kits that include a
magazine assembly as described herein and one or more additional
components, such as instructions or a firearm. Further provided are
methods of loading a magazine assembly into a firearm in dark or
low light conditions using light produced from an illumination or
light source in the magazine assembly.
Inventors: |
GARNER; Carson; (Great
Falls, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GARNER; Carson |
Great Falls |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65435016 |
Appl. No.: |
16/102731 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62545448 |
Aug 14, 2017 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 9/83 20130101; F41A
35/00 20130101; F41A 9/65 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 9/65 20060101
F41A009/65; F41A 9/83 20060101 F41A009/83; F41A 35/00 20060101
F41A035/00 |
Claims
1. A magazine assembly comprising a magazine baseplate, having a
chamber within the baseplate and an illumination source within the
chamber.
2. The magazine assembly of claim 1, wherein the illumination
source comprises an artificial light source.
3. The magazine assembly of claim 1, wherein the illumination
source comprises an infrared light source.
4. The magazine assembly of claim 1, wherein illumination source is
selected and positioned within the magazine assembly, such that
light emitted from the device may be seen within a limited range of
sight.
5. The magazine assembly of claim 1, wherein illumination source is
selected and positioned within the magazine assembly, such that
only a person using the magazine assembly is able to see the
light/illumination.
6. The magazine assembly of claim 1, further comprising a magazine
attached to the magazine baseplate.
7. The magazine assembly of claim 1, further comprising a magazine
integral with the magazine baseplate.
8. The magazine assembly of claim 1, wherein the illuminated
magazine assembly of the invention is configured to be attached to,
or part of, an apparatus for which having a night or low-light
reloading of a firearm may be advantageous.
9. A kit including an illuminated magazine assembly according to
claim 1 and instructions for use of the illuminated magazine
assembly.
10. A kit including at least one firearm and an illuminated
magazine assembly configured for use with said firearm.
11. A method of loading a magazine assembly into a firearm in dark
or low light conditions comprising viewing a self-illuminated
magazine assembly, using light produced from an illumination source
in the magazine assembly, and loading the self-illuminated magazine
assembly into the firearm.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/545,448 filed on Aug. 14, 2017,
the contents of which are incorporated herein in their
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an illuminated
magazine assembly for containing and feeding cartridges to a
firearm. The magazine assembly includes an illumination or lighting
source such as an artificial light source or infrared light source,
within a housing that is part of the magazine. The lighting source
within the magazine assembly is selected and positioned in the
magazine assembly, such that light emitted from the device may only
be seen within a limited range of sight, preferably such that only
a person using the magazine assembly is able to see the
light/illumination. The illuminated magazine assembly of the
invention may be configured to be attached to, or may be part of,
an apparatus (such as a weapon) for which having a night or
low-light reloading of a firearm may be advantageous.
BACKGROUND
[0003] To produce illumination under low light conditions, the
addition of artificial light or infrared light sources such as
battery-operated LEDs or tritium-type devices have been used as
aiming devices on firearms or other instruments. In a regular
illuminated sight such as that provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,486,
a fiber optic and tritium tube are used in conjunction to produce
an illuminated sighting device. With the expansion of use of
firearms in low light conditions, the requirement of a
self-illuminated sight has been addressed, but other problems
associated with using firearms in low light conditions have not
been addressed.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present inventor determined that the use of illumination
on a magazine assembly for a firearm is much needed to aid in quick
loading of spare magazines into a firearm. For example, a soldier
carries spare ammo in magazines on his chest. In a dark
environment, he/she will need to reload his/her rifle. The present
self-illuminated magazine assembly allows the soldier to quickly
locate the spare magazine and with the tritium vial or other
illumination/light source located at the base of the magazine. The
illumination can be installed on one side of the magazine (for
example, on the side with bullet tips forward) so the soldier will
know how to insert the magazine in darkness into the rifle. The
present invention greatly improves low light retrieval of the
magazine, it also helps ensure the weapon magazine is inserted
correctly with the bullet tips forward.
[0005] According to non-limiting example embodiments, provided
herein are magazine assemblies that include a magazine baseplate,
having a chamber within the baseplate and an illumination source
within the chamber.
[0006] Also provided are kits that include a magazine assembly of
the present invention and one or more additional components, such
as instructions or a firearm. Kits provided herein may further
include instructions and/or tools for assembling or securing the
present magazine assemblies (such as screws, or screwdrivers).
[0007] Further provided are methods of loading a magazine assembly
into a firearm in dark or low light conditions using light produced
from an illumination or light source in the magazine assembly.
[0008] Further provided herein are firearms that include a magazine
assembly of the present invention. Further provided are methods of
making magazine assemblies.
DRAWINGS
[0009] Non-limiting example embodiments are described herein, with
reference to the following accompanying Figures:
[0010] FIG. 1A depicts a non-limiting example baseplate portion of
the magazine assembly in accordance with non-limiting example
embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a top view of the
baseplate and FIG. 1B is an enlarged cut-out portion of the
baseplate depicted in FIG. 1A. FIGS. 1C and 1D are non-shaded, line
drawings of the baseplate and cut-out thereof depicted in FIGS. 1A
and 1B. Each of these views shows an illuminated chamber portion of
the baseplate. In the depicted example, the chamber is within the
magazine baseplate, and the chamber includes an illumination or
lighting source therein to together form the "illuminated chamber".
The baseplate is attached to the magazine itself to form a magazine
assembly.
[0011] FIGS. 2A-2L depict a non-limiting example of a baseplate for
use in the present magazine assembly, from various views. FIG. 2A
depicts a top view of the example baseplate, 2B depicts a bottom
view (the number depicted thereon is not critical), 2C depicts a
perspective view from the top front right, 2D depicts a front plan
view, 2E depicts a perspective view from the top front left, 2F
depicts a right plan view, 2G depicts a left plan view, 2H depicts
a perspective view from the top back right side, 2I depicts a plan
view from the back, and FIG. 2J depicts a perspective view from the
top back left side thereof. FIGS. 2K and 2L depict bottom
perspective views of the example baseplate.
[0012] FIGS. 3A-3L are non-shaded, line drawings of the
non-limiting example baseplate, corresponding to the embodiment
depicted in FIGS. 2A-2L.
[0013] FIGS. 4A-4L depict an alternative non-limiting example
baseplate of the present magazine assembly from various views. FIG.
4A depicts a top view of an example baseplate, 4B depicts a bottom
view, 4C depicts a perspective view from the top front right, 4D
depicts a front plan view, 4E depicts a perspective view from the
top front left, 4F depicts a right plan view, 4G depicts a left
plan view, 4H depicts a perspective view from the top back right
side, 4I depicts a plan view from the back, and FIG. 4J depicts a
perspective view from the top back left side thereof. FIG. 4K and
4L depict bottom perspective views of the example baseplate.
[0014] FIGS. 5A-5L are non-shaded, line drawings corresponding to
the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A-4L.
[0015] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict photographs of an example illuminated
magazine assembly in accordance with non-limiting example
embodiments of the present invention, from two different views. In
particular, FIGS. 6A and 6B depict two top perspective views, one
from the back and one from the front of an entire magazine assembly
including the illumination source within a chamber in a baseplate
portion of the magazine assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Definitions:
[0017] In describing example embodiments, specific terminology is
employed for the sake of clarity. However, the embodiments are not
intended to be limited to this specific terminology. Unless
otherwise noted, technical terms are used according to conventional
usage.
[0018] As used herein, "a" or "an" may mean one or more. As used
herein "another" may mean at least a second or more. Furthermore,
unless otherwise required by context, singular terms include
pluralities and plural terms include the singular.
[0019] As used herein, the term "baseplate" means the assembly that
made up the base of a magazine for holding a supply of cartridges
to be fed to a gun.
[0020] As used herein, the term "firearm" means any rifle, pistol,
or other portable gun that is suitable for use in the present
invention. In particular, firearms that utilize magazines are
envisioned herein.
[0021] A "magazine" refers to a chamber for holding a supply of
cartridges to be fed to a gun. The term magazine as used herein
includes a magazine containing any amount of ammunition (or no
ammunition), and therefore includes a device that is empty or full
or partially full of ammunition. Magazines may be integral to the
firearm (fixed) or removable (detachable). The magazine functions
by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position
where they may be loaded into the chamber by the action of the
firearm.
[0022] Reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at
least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the
phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are
separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive
of other embodiments.
[0023] The present invention provides an illuminated magazine
assembly for containing and feeding cartridges to a firearm. The
illuminated magazine assembly includes an illumination or lighting
source such as an artificial light source 1, within a chamber or
housing 2 that is part of the magazine assembly. In particular, the
lighting source within the magazine assembly is selected and
positioned in the magazine assembly, such that light emitted from
the device may only be seen within a limited range of sight,
preferably such that only a person using the magazine assembly is
able to see the light/illumination or infrared illuminating with
the aid of an infrared viewer or night vision device. Also included
are magazine baseplates 3 configured to include an illumination or
other lighting source as described herein, and methods of making
and using the present illuminated magazine assembly and/or
baseplate portion thereof.
[0024] The magazine assembly of the present invention may include
for example, the magazine itself 4, which is configured to hold
multiple cartridges/bullets. The present invention should not be
limited by whether there are cartridges in the magazine, as
magazines may be re-loadable and may be sold with or without
cartridges therein. Magazines may be used at various stages of
being full or only partially loaded, therefore, while bullets may
or may not be present in the magazine, the present invention is not
limited thereby.
[0025] The magazine assembly includes a magazine baseplate 3 or
baseplate portion of the magazine. The baseplate or baseplate
portion of the magazine may be manufactured as part of the
magazine, or it may be manufactured separately and then attached to
the magazine (for example, the magazine baseplate may be
manufactured separately from the magazine and then irremovably
attached thereto, such that the baseplate forms a permanent or
semi-permanent part of the magazine assembly). Because the
baseplate may be manufactured separately from the magazine, and the
illumination/lighting source of the present invention may be on or
in the magazine baseplate, the present invention should also be
deemed as encompassing illuminated magazine baseplates 3 that
include an artificial light source, as discussed herein, e.g.
within a chamber 2, which are configured for being attached to a
magazine.
[0026] The present invention allows the user to have a
self-illuminated magazine in either visible or infrared
illumination assembly for containing and feeding cartridges to a
firearm. In particular, according to non-limiting example
embodiments, the invention provides an illuminated magazine
assembly for containing and feeding cartridges to a firearm that
includes a light/illumination or infrared illumination source,
within a housing.
[0027] The lighting/ illumination source may include for example,
an artificial light source, which may include e.g. battery-operated
LED's or tritium-type devices or an infrared lighting source.
According to example embodiments, substantially permanent or
long-lasting lighting source may be used. According to further
example embodiments, the light source is positioned within or on
the magazine baseplate such that light emitted or glowing from the
device may be seen only within a limited range of the magazine. For
example, an illumination/light source may be within a chamber 3 (to
create an illuminated chamber as shown e.g., in the illuminated
baseplate and enlarged portion thereof depicted in FIGS. 1A and
1B), within or on the baseplate portion of a magazine assembly.
Preferably the illumination/ light source is configured and
position in such a manner that only a person positioned such that
they are looking at the baseplate portion of the magazine assembly
(e.g. looking down at the illuminated chamber), may see the
light.
[0028] The illuminated magazine assembly of the present invention
may be configured to be attached to, removably inserted in, or may
be part of, an apparatus (such as a firearm) for which the ability
to have a night or low-lighting ammo loading and reloading may be
advantageous. The infrared version could be viewed only by a
soldier's night vision goggles or night vision device. Contemplated
apparatuses with which the present magazine devices may be used, or
attached to, removably inserted in, or part of, may include for
example, air guns, firearms (including personal, military, police
or other firearms), or other projectile launching apparatuses,
where low light use of firearms is required.
[0029] According to non-limiting example embodiments, the baseplate
3 portion of the magazine assembly may include a finger curve out
area 5 (the rounded portion at the front, near the illuminated
chamber), which helps a user determine the orientation of the
assembly, as depicted for example in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The finger
curve out area is advantageous for being able to load the assembly
in the proper orientation without having to see the assembly. This
may be particularly useful in low light or dark conditions, or so
one does not have to take his/her eye off a target when loading a
new magazine assembly into a firearm.
[0030] In non-limiting example embodiments, the present invention
provides multiple holes 6 on the top of the baseplate and/or angled
slashes or portions 7 on the sides (both aspects of which are
depicted e.g., in FIGS. 2-5), which may similarly be used for
determining orientation and positioning of the baseplate and
therefore also of the entire magazine, for loading or reloading the
magazine without necessarily having to see the assembly. These
features may also be particularly useful in low light or dark
conditions, or so one does not have to take his/her eye off a
target.
[0031] FIGS. 2A-2L and 3A-3L depict a non-limiting example
embodiment of a baseplate in accordance with the present invention.
As indicated above, this baseplate may be either formed as part of
a magazine assembly, or separately manufactured and later attached
to a magazine assembly according to the present invention. FIGS.
4A-4L and 5A-5L depict other non-limiting example embodiments of a
baseplate in accordance with the present invention, which have a
somewhat different shape, but have similar chamber/housing,
artificial light source, etc. as the embodiment depicted in FIGS.
2A-2L and 3A-3L. It is of course contemplated that variations of
these depicted baseplates may be made and still be within the scope
and spirit of the present invention and therefore are encompassed
by the present application.
[0032] In view of the above, provided herein is a magazine assembly
that includes a magazine baseplate, having a chamber within the
baseplate and an illumination source within the chamber. The
illumination source may include an artificial light source. The
illumination source may be an infrared light source.
[0033] According to non-limiting example embodiments, the
illumination source is selected and positioned within the magazine
assembly, such that light emitted from the device may be seen
within a limited range of sight. The illumination source may be
selected and positioned within the magazine assembly, such that
only a person using the magazine assembly is able to see the
light/illumination.
[0034] In further example embodiments, the magazine assembly may
include a magazine attached to the magazine baseplate, or the
magazine may be integral with the magazine baseplate.
[0035] According to example embodiments, the magazine assembly of
the invention may be configured to be attached to, or part of, an
apparatus for which having a night or low-light reloading of a
firearm may be advantageous.
[0036] It should be understood that the present magazine assemblies
may be provided in various shapes and sizes, and thicknesses, and
may be made of any suitable material. By way of non-limiting
example, the general shape may be one of the depicted shapes and
configurations, but is not limited to such shapes. According to
non-limiting examples, the shape, configuration and thickness may
be such that the magazine assembly is suitable for using with a
desired firearm.
[0037] The present invention provides kits that include one or more
of the magazine assemblies of the present invention. Example kits
may also include one or more of instructions and/or tools for
assembling and/or securing the present magazines (such as screws or
screw drivers) to a firearm. Thus, according to non-limiting
examples, kits herein may include an illuminated magazine assembly
and instructions for use of the illuminated magazine assembly.
According to further examples, kits may include at least one
firearm and an illuminated magazine assembly configured for use
with said firearm.
[0038] Also provided herein are methods of loading a magazine
assembly into a firearm in dark or low light conditions comprising
viewing a self-illuminated magazine assembly, using light produced
from an illumination or light source in the magazine assembly,
e.g., at the base of the magazine assembly; and loading the
self-illuminated magazine assembly into the firearm.
[0039] Further provided are methods of making a self-illuminated
magazine assembly comprising encasing an illumination source within
a housing or chamber of a magazine baseplate. As with other
embodiments, the magazine baseplate may be separate from or
integral with the magazine.
[0040] The examples, descriptions, and figures herein are provided
to further illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the present
baseplates, assemblies and methods of the present invention. It
should be understood, however, that this description is meant to be
illustrative and does not limit the scope of the present invention.
As would be apparent to skilled artisans, many variations and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the
broader spirit and scope of the invention, and are intended to be
encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than restrictive sense. It is also intended
that the components of the various devices disclosed above may be
combined or modified in any suitable configuration.
* * * * *